Fabric stash, does size matter?

Thank you everyone who left a comment on my first Plushka’s fabric stash post. It was so interesting to hear your opinion on the importance of the stash size!

There are a few things that I certainly agree with everyone on:

* a good size stash helps you create by allowing you to start a projects straight away when the inspiration strikes.

* looking through the stash gives you ideas

* Quality over quantity - a well thought through stash will save you money in the long run! When you have all the fabric you need for a project, it means you don’t have to run back and forth to the local fabric shop and buy more then you should every time! 

Thus, I can safely define a balanced, well thought through stash as a stash that is colour coordinated, has many “basic” fabrics that can be used for the lining or bias and has different style fabrics to inspire different ideas. 

I asked a few fellow crafters about their fabric shopping styles, the size of  their stash and weither or not, in their opinion, it is important for a handmade business to have a newly released prints to offer it's customers......  

Here what creative ladies said: 

“I usually buy fabric monthly and I buy it from all over the place! There is a huge choice online and you can access fabric from all over the world. Whenever I can I also like to support my local brick and mortar quilting and sewing shops. It nice to be able to get advice and help in person and there is nothing quite like seeing and feeling fabric in a shop, it's something you can't do online. I absolutely love searching for specific prints and I usually don't stop until I find what I need.

I'm not really sure if i have a big stash or not? I've never really compared to anyone else. For me quality is far more important that quantity. Many of the cute Japanese fabrics i buy are extremely good quality and that comes with a price so i tend to buy smaller amounts of those. I have a huge variety, but i keep mainly small pieces.

I think it's nice to offer something different to what every one else is offering. I will avoid buying certain fabric if i am seeing it used by lots of other handmade businesses. Part of the attraction to handmade is the uniqueness after all”. -

Cassandra, Three kittens

“I buy my fabric in large amounts.  I buy approximately two bolts or more of each ‘main’ fabric that makes up the bulk of a collection.  I buy approx. 5 – 6 yards of ‘minor’ coordinating fabrics.  I buy all of it online from all around the world.

I think people would be surprised at how small my stash actually is.  I have two little shelves that are what I refer to as my ‘Treasure Shelves’ which basically contain very special fabrics that are for me.  then everything else I have in stock are large quantities for my Georgie Girl items.  I don’t have very much left over once I’ve finished bolts so it turns over very quickly as a general rule. 

Absolutely not!  In my experience, customers don’t care if fabrics are the ‘latest thing’ out or if they are older, discontinued collections.  As long as something is appealing to the eye and appropriate when applied to the items you are creating, that seems to be the main thing.  Quite often the newly released fabrics are being used by lots and lots of businesses and so if you can find something unique and not so easily available, you can come up with a unique looking line.  That’s half the challenge of fabric shopping and creating – searching far and wide for something different!” 
- Tina, George girl

"I buy our fabrics by the meter online and then bolt it up myself. This can be anywhere from 5-15 meters per design. Now that we have permanent linen ranges on offer I need to have a minimum in the cupboard to feel comfortable and in order! We currently have 7 ranges available, some consisting of 3 fabric designs and some 2, so we have a fairly large stash always ready and available.

Yes, I do think it's important, although it can depend on what your business specializes in. For us, since we offer our own ranges, I like to keep the customers interested by throwing in limited/new designs here and there while we still offer our usual fabric designs. I do find however most customers are after particular colours and themes rather than new prints." - Lauren, Boondie baby

"I buy my fabric whenever I am inspired and see something I have to have - online, in stores, in op shops, at markets... sometimes Im searching for a particular print or colour, other times I just see something I am drawn to and have to have it in my stash even though I might have no idea what Im going to do with it! 

I do have a rather large stash... growing by the minute!

Yes, I think its important to have newly released prints to keep your store fresh and enticing for customers!"
- Nicole, Bubby Makes Three

We would love to know what your answer to those questions would be! 

How do you buy your fabric?  

Do you have a big stash? 

Do you think it is important to own a substantial stash for a handmade business?

Sunday Stash....how to keep it under control or at least try!

Yes, I am still trying to fight back my growing stash! I read a lot of different opinions about how a stash need to be organized, kept clean and protected from the sun (fading)....

Why am I concerned? It seams sometimes that it's all waisted time trying to get it under control.
I read that there are three signs  that you have too much fabric and it's taking over your house: 

- you are defensive about your stash

-you are not using your craft space for crafting and move to free spaces away from the mess

-stash doesn't fit into space you have

I said YES to all of them! My personal opinion is that when you start making to sell and buy fabric to keep in stock for orders, it's normal to have a few fabrics that will never be used. It's all comes with time and working out your collections and style, then you will start buying smarter. I accept that 10% of my stash might not be used but what if you don't use half of it?!

True up website has plenty of posts with advice on how to de-clutter etc. I just thought I'd write a little summary of what I read and add what works for me: 

*organize by color or by size - yet to be explored by me.

*write index cards - cut little square, staple to the index card with the amount bought and designer, take it with you shopping to avoid buying the same fabric twice. I so far manage to remember all my fabrics. Maybe, it means my stash is not big enough;)?!

* organise by the type - Japanese, vintage, Christmas 

* keep fabric in the zip-bag with labels. It didn't really work for me, I prefer see-trough containers as plastic bags tend to slide and fall of the shelves.

*buy in bundles - I found that if I buy 3-4 fabrics from the same range, I am more likely to use them.
*buy scraps, packs, kits, charm squares and rolls if you don't want to have fabric left over after the project

Here are a few more links that I hope you'll find helpful:

how to make fabric brochure 

10 steps to decluttered stash
organizing your space for quilters
 great post about organizing stash by size or by colour
arranging up your yarn stash 
'In color order' blog with great links and tips - almost covers all you need;)
last but not least, organizing fat quarters! 


Do you have any helpful links or tips? 
Do you follow any rules when you buy fabric? 

Happy Sunday and I wish you a well-behaved stash!